“Soumaya is a compelling, thought-provoking film that will stay with you long after the powerful final scene.” – Lois Alter Mark, Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ.ORG)
Even if you reclaim your story, can justice be won?
“It is a bold, daring debut requiring nuanced conversations that seldom occur in the social media realm, where one’s beliefs must be crammed into 160 characters or less.” – Film Threat
One day, Soumaya – a woman of color, a practicing Muslim, a mother, and an executive at an airport transportation company in Paris – is fired from her job of fourteen years without explanation or warning. Later that night, while watching TV, she learns that certain media outlets are linking her, through speculation, to jihadist circles. This all occurs only days after Soumaya’s apartment, where she lives with her young daughter, is raided by police.
Shaken but not about to sit by in silence, Soumaya decides to exercise her right of reply in court – where her legal team demonstrates that she was fired only as a result of discrimination.
Based on real events, SOUMAYA shines a light on the devastating repercussions of anti-terrorist policing and Islamophobia in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attacks.
A MULTI-AWARD-WINNING FESTIVAL FAVORITE, Soumaya has received wide critical acclaim. Festival play includes:
- WINNER, Best Lead Actress, Anatolia International Film Festival (Istanbul)
- WINNER, Best Actress, Festival International Cinéma et Migrations d’Agadir (Morocco)
- WINNER, Best Actress, Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival
- WINNER, Grand Jury Prize, Best Feature, Universe Multicultural Film Festival
- Official Selection: Lebanese Independent Film Festival
- Official Selection: Cinemigrante (Argentina)
- Official Selection: Festival International du Film Panafricain de Cannes
- Official Selection: Festival Régional et International du Cinéma de Guadeloupe
- Official Selection: San Diego Arab Film Festival
- Official Selection: DC Independent Film Festival
- Official Selection: Rated SR Socially Relevant Film Festival
“An unprecedented look at the state of emergency in France from the viewpoint of the victims, whose experience often goes unacknowledged.” — Middle East Eye
“Fear is the undercurrent that drives this film. The fear of Soumaya’s daughter after the search. The fear of the society that was embodied in the State of Emergency. The fear of neighbors who would call authorities for things like headscarves or praying. Trying to instill fear in a section of the populace. The fear of losing basic rights. The fear of losing our souls for the sake of feeling safe. While this film is about fears in France, it is also very applicable to American society.” – Screen Fish
Features Soraya Hachoumi, Sarah Perriez and Khalid Berkouz.
2019 / 100 minutes / Foreign Drama (French w/English subtitles) / A film by Waheed Khan and Ubaydah Abu-Usayd
HOW TO ORDER:
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Watch the trailer…